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Threads like this make the site what it is. all inclusive and facinating. During both the first and second world wars Large passenger ships were taken up for war service, some designated armed merchant cruisers and equipped with various calibers of weapons. Govenment subsidies were availlable for new build liners to cover for this situation. Some of these vessels fought with distinction probably the most famous being the Rawlpindi. I would think the least auspicious being the Titanics sister 5 Captains on the bridge and it still ran into a lumpy bit off Scotland.

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There was a T.V. program on the sinking of the Britanic a few years ago. I think the conclusion was a mine was the cause. I seem to remember as with the Titanic the bulkhead water tight doors were open. Sorry to digress from the original important thread. Merchant marine Sailors in the North Atlantic had an especially hard time with little or no recognition at the time.

I found an address for my dad at BAB21 also at Heydebreck this led me to Pegasusarchive and other websites.

I have found confirmation of some of the things he told me over the years, little snippets that are now making sense.

He told of working at a chemical plant as he was a plumber and workers from BAB21 did indeed work at a local plant.

Other things such as the long march then the camp he ended up at (Stalag VII A, Moosburg) being liberated by Patton who insisted the camp gates were closed so that they could drive a tank through them. This has also been confirmed.

I am just getting started and am not an expert researcher but it's amazing what is on the inter web!

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have some more information on HMS Vandyck. My great Uncle, John Lloyd Croasdaile was in the RNVR and was assigned to the Vandyck at the start of the war. I believe he was 1st Officer. He also was a painter, and painted a series of 9 paintings showing the Vandyck during its all too short career. Apparently he made sketches on the inside of match boxes and converted them to paintings later. I don't know when he painted them. You can link to them here.

Jack Croasdaile remained a prisoner throughout the war. His story is particularly tragic as his wide and children were killed on the SS City of Benares during an evacuation to the USA. More information on this, his other paintings, his WW1 service on the Yangtze River, photos in PoW camps and his life with Cunard (he reached the rank of Staff Captain on the Queen Mary by 1939) are here.

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This is fantastic! My father was on the Vandyck. He joined the Royal Navy in 1938 and served until 1960 when I was born. He was a Sick Berth Attendant on the Vandyck, and spent the majority of the rest of the war in Marlag und Milag Nord at Westertimke.

As far as I know, the Vandyck missed her rendezvous and sailed too far North, ending up on the other side of the peninsula to Narvik, where she was supposed to be taking part in the evacuation of troops withdrawing from Norway. In fact, two destroyers were dispatched to look for her when she failed to turn up. I believe she was dive-bombed and caught fire on the 9th June 1940, was abandoned on the 10th and sank either later that day or the following day. The evacuations from Narvik had pretty much completed by the 8th June.

The crew were taken prisoner and most, I believe, ended up initially at Stalag X-B at Sandbostel, which later acquired a much darker reputation as a concentration camp in all but name.

During 1941-1942, some of the prisoners there were transferred to (and indeed, helped to build) Marlag und Milag Nord at Westertimke, about 15-20 miles away.

In late 1942, all the ratings from M&MN were transferred to Stalag VIII-B at Lamsdorf, with the NCOs and officers remaining. I believe my father by this time had been made a temporary Leading Sick Berth Attendant, and stayed at M&MN, and so was probably one of the lucky ones, as life at Lamsdorf seems to have been much harder.

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During 1941-1942, some of the prisoners there were transferred to (and indeed, helped to build) Marlag und Milag Nord at Westertimke, about 15-20 miles away.

My Grandfather must have spent the war with your father here then, as this is certainly from where he was liberated, he was promoted to an acting officer whilst a POW, no idea how that happened, but I have seen records stating this.

2

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My grandfather was also on this ship, I believe 7 crew inc 2 officers died, the rest of the crew were taken to oflag 1X, so reports go, but my research shows that was a pow camp (a castle I believe) for RAF POWs , yet I own the war office telegram stating clearly that's where the survivors were taken, bit of a mystery truth be known

What an Interesting thread, I started my career at Sea as a Junior Engineer after I completed my Apprenticeship as a Fitter & Turner in a shipyard, although this was in 1990 the Junior Engineer rank was generally from lads who had completed there Apprentice ship ashore in a shipyard or similar and went straight in the Merchant Navy as Junior Engineer. The only thing they need to do was learn the running of the engine room as they already were Tradesman so knew how to use tools ext.

Looking at the date of The Letter from the General Register and Record office of Shipping and Seaman I would guess he had not been at Sea long unless he had been a cadet ? The Address on the bottom is The Bungalow, Hightown , Nr Liverpool, this is now Formby but Hightown still exists ......... Altacar Rifle ranges are there.

POW's were normally held in any nearest available camp until processed.

Edited April 15, 2018 by bigduke6

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What an Interesting thread, I started my career at Sea as a Junior Engineer after I completed my Apprenticeship as a Fitter & Turner in a shipyard, although this was in 1990 the Junior Engineer rank was generally from lads who had completed there Apprentice ship ashore in a shipyard or similar and went straight in the Merchant Navy as Junior Engineer. The only thing they need to do was learn the running of the engine room as they already were Tradesman so knew how to use tools ext.

Looking at the date of The Letter from the General Register and Record office of Shipping and Seaman I would guess he had not been at Sea long unless he had been a cadet ? The Address on the bottom is The Bungalow, Hightown , Nr Liverpool, this is now Formby but Hightown still exists ......... Altacar Rifle ranges are there.

POW's were normally held in any nearest available camp until processed.

My Grandfather was in his late 30s when he was on the Vandyk, he had been an engineer all his working life, I believe he was in navy reserves before the war and was then put into action when the war started

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Thats Interesting regarding the reserves, I mention not being at Sea long, as most in the Junior Engineer Rank soon became 4th and 3rd Engineers, back then the Board of Trade exams were for Second and Chief Engineers...... so no certificate was needed for the junior ranks, although when discharged Sea service testimonials would be issued plus the Discharge Book stamped accordingly.

A lot of young lads when in there last year of Apprenticeship could finish it at Sea in some cases, also some straight out of there time, (like myself) went to Sea.

During the war tradesmen just under the maximum age of enlistment would probably remain in there trade as they were more valuable in that position, Some over the age and wanting to do something would volunteer for The Merchant Navy.

You Grandfather being a Junior Engineer, this was a Merchant Navy Officer Rank, So When the the vessel come under the command of the RN he and the other crew would of been transferred to RNR or RNVR but would still receive his MN pay.

As a POW there is probably a lot more you can find out though the National Archives. Also try the Royal Navy as the Vessel was sunk and also being under the RN they would have crew lists etc.

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Thats Interesting regarding the reserves, I mention not being at Sea long, as most in the Junior Engineer Rank soon became 4th and 3rd Engineers, back then the Board of Trade exams were for Second and Chief Engineers...... so no certificate was needed for the junior ranks, although when discharged Sea service testimonials would be issued plus the Discharge Book stamped accordingly.

A lot of young lads when in there last year of Apprenticeship could finish it at Sea in some cases, also some straight out of there time, (like myself) went to Sea.

During the war tradesmen just under the maximum age of enlistment would probably remain in there trade as they were more valuable in that position, Some over the age and wanting to do something would volunteer for The Merchant Navy.

You Grandfather being a Junior Engineer, this was a Merchant Navy Officer Rank, So When the the vessel come under the command of the RN he and the other crew would of been transferred to RNR or RNVR but would still receive his MN pay.

As a POW there is probably a lot more you can find out though the National Archives. Also try the Royal Navy as the Vessel was sunk and also being under the RN they would have crew lists etc.

Thanks for this, gives me more to check out, I have a copy of his POW interview on release, I must spend some time going thru the National Archives, That's interesting about the Merchant Navy Rank, that would explain him being held in an officers POW camp for the duration.